Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 1 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"Plutarch
Philosophy
Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 1 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"
Plutarch
Classical literature; Essays; Ethics; Philosophy
12. Let us now proceed to rhythms; for there were several varieties
of these, as well in musical as in rhythmical composition. And here
Terpander, among all those novelties with which he adorned music,
introduced an elegant manner, that gave it much life. After him, beside
the Terpandrian, which he did not relinquish, Polymnestus brought in
use another of his own, retaining however the former elegant manner,
as did also Thaletas and Sacadas. Other innovations were also made by
Alkman and Stesichorus, who nevertheless receded not from the ancient
forms. But Crexus, Timotheus, and Philoxenus, and those other poets of
the same age, growing more arrogant and studious of novelty, affected
those other manners now called Philanthropic and Thematic. For now the
fewness of strings and the plainness and majesty of the old music are
looked upon as absolutely out of date.
13. And now, having discoursed to the best of my ability of the ancient
music and the first inventors of it, and how succeeding ages brought
it to more and more perfection, I shall make an end, and give way to
my friend Soterichus, not only greatly skilled in music but in all
the rest of the sciences. For we have always labored rather on the
practical than the contemplative part. Which when Lysias had said, he
forbare speaking any farther; but then Soterichus thus began.
14. Most noble Onesicrates, said he, since you have engaged us to
speak our knowledge concerning the most venerable excellencies of
music, which is most pleasing to the Gods, I cannot but approve the
learning of our master Lysias, and his great memory in reciting all the
inventors of the ancient music, and those who have written concerning
it. But I must needs say, that he has given us this account, trusting
only to what he has found recorded. We on the other side have not
heard of any man that was the inventor of the benefits of music, but
of the God Apollo, adorned with all manner of virtue. The flute was
neither the invention of Marsyas nor Olympus nor Hyagnis; nor was the
harp Apollo’s invention only, but as a God he was the inventor of all
the music both of the flute and harp. This is manifest from the dances
and sacrifices which were solemnized to Apollo, as Alcaeus and others
in their hymns relate. His statue also placed in the Temple of Delos
holds in his right hand a bow; at his left the Graces stand, with every
one a musical instrument in her hands, one carrying a harp, another a
flute, another with a shepherd’s pipe set to her lips. And that this
is no conceit of mine appears from this, that Anticles and Ister have
testified the same in their commentaries upon these things. And the
statue is reported to be so ancient, that the artificers were said to
have lived in the time of Hercules. The youth also that carries the
Tempic laurel into Delphi is accompanied by one playing upon the flute.
And the sacred presents of the Hyperboreans were sent of old to Delos,
attended with flutes, pipes, and harps.
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